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Depression among Chinese University Students: Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates

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  • Lu Chen
  • Lin Wang
  • Xiao Hui Qiu
  • Xiu Xian Yang
  • Zheng Xue Qiao
  • Yan Jie Yang
  • Yuan Liang

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of depression in Chinese university students, and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with depression in this population. A multi-stage stratified sampling procedure was used to select university students (N = 5245) in Harbin (Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China), who were aged 16–35 years. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine depressive symptoms of the participants. BDI scores of 14 or higher were categorized as depressive for logistic regression analysis. Depression was diagnosed by the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). 11.7% of the participants had a BDI score 14 or higher. Major Depressive Disorder was seen in 4.0% of Chinese university students. There were no statistical differences in the incidence of depression when gender, ethnicity, and university classification were analyzed. Multivariate analysis showed that age, study year, satisfaction with major, family income situation, parental relationship and mother's education were significantly associated with depression. Moderate depression is prevalent in Chinese university students. The students who were older, dissatisfied with their major, had a lower family income, poor parental relationships, and a lower level of mother's education were susceptible to depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Chen & Lin Wang & Xiao Hui Qiu & Xiu Xian Yang & Zheng Xue Qiao & Yan Jie Yang & Yuan Liang, 2013. "Depression among Chinese University Students: Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(3), pages 1-6, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0058379
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058379
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    Cited by:

    1. Larry Auyeung & Phoenix Kit Han Mo, 2019. "The Efficacy and Mechanism of Online Positive Psychological Intervention (PPI) on Improving Well-Being Among Chinese University Students: A Pilot Study of the Best Possible Self (BPS) Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(8), pages 2525-2550, December.
    2. Sayeed, Abu & Hassan, Md Nazmul & Rahman, Md Hafizur & El Hayek, Samer & Banna, Md. Hasan Al & Mallick, Trisha & Hasan, Al-Riaj & Meem, Amatul Elah & Kundu, Satyajit, 2020. "Facebook addiction associated with internet activity, depression and behavioral factors among university students of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. Jingjing Meng & Chang Gao & Chulei Tang & Honghong Wang & Zirong Tao, 2019. "Prevalence of hypochondriac symptoms among health science students in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Keyu Zhai & Xing Gao & Geng Wang, 2018. "The Role of Sleep Quality in the Psychological Well-Being of Final Year UndergraduateStudents in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Vanessa Blanco & Mar Salmerón & Patricia Otero & Fernando L. Vázquez, 2021. "Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress and Prevalence of Major Depression and Its Predictors in Female University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Wei Lu & Qian Bian & Wenzheng Wang & Xiaoling Wu & Zhen Wang & Min Zhao, 2017. "Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10: A psychometric study in Chinese university students," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(12), pages 1-8, December.
    7. Ebrahim A. Al-Shaer & Meqbel M. Aliedan & Mohamed A. Zayed & Musaddag Elrayah & Mohamed A. Moustafa, 2024. "Mental Health and Quality of Life among University Students with Disabilities: The Moderating Role of Religiosity and Social Connectedness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.
    8. Joey Man Yee KWOK & Douglas Kei Shing NG, 2016. "A Study of the Perceived Stress Level of University Students in Hong Kong," International Journal of Psychological Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(4), pages 1-91, December.
    9. Sayeed, Abu & Rahman, Md Hafizur & Hassan, Md. Nazmul & Christopher, Enryka & Kundu, Satyajit & Banna, Md. Hasan Al & Hasan, Al-Riaj & Mallick, Trisha & Meem, Amatul Elah & Hasan, M. Tasdik, 2021. "Problematic internet use associated with depression, health, and internet-use behaviors among university students of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    10. Patou Masika Musumari & Arunrat Tangmunkongvorakul & Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai & Teeranee Techasrivichien & S Pilar Suguimoto & Masako Ono-Kihara & Masahiro Kihara, 2018. "Grit is associated with lower level of depression and anxiety among university students in Chiang Mai, Thailand: A cross-sectional study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, December.
    11. Bob Lew & Kairi Kõlves & Augustine Osman & Mansor Abu Talib & Norhayati Ibrahim & Ching Sin Siau & Caryn Mei Hsien Chan, 2020. "Suicidality among Chinese college students: A cross-sectional study across seven provinces," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, August.

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